People 'want more house-building' in their area » Housing » 24dash.com

Support for local councils to encourage new house-building has been revealed in a new poll.

A survey show that a clear majority of people - 53% - want more house-building encouraged in their area, while 32% think house-building should be discouraged and 15% say it should be prevented.

The figures exclude the 8% who returned "don't know" responses.

Nearly two thirds of those questioned (65%) agreed that Britain needs more homes, and 63% think that within the next five years a shortage of housing will be a serious problem.

When asked on balance whether the number of new homes should be increased given the potential impact on the towns, villages and countryside, 45% agreed compared to 42% who did not.

The YouGov poll has been carried out for the Home Builders Federation (HBF).

Some 52% of the public described the appearance and design of new homes built in their local area in the last two years as "very good" or "fairly good", compared to 24% who thought they were "fairly poor" or "very poor".

Stewart Baseley, HBF Executive Chairman, said: "This poll shows that people want more homes to be built, with most expecting their council to be encouraging the increase in supply.

"I hope that the councils elected on May 4 will take note and lead the way to ensure that people are not denied the opportunity for a place on the property ladder.

"The days of the vast majority being against developments are over. People realise that there is an acute housing shortage leading to real affordability problems.

"Councils need to recognise that times have changed.

"I am also pleased that most people think that new homes are well designed.

"Home builders have made huge improvements in design and these have been recognised by the public, if not by some commentators."

Housing and Planning Minister Yvette Cooper said: "People want to know that their sons and daughters will be able to afford a home of their own.

"That is why many people in our communities now recognise the need to build the new homes that the next generation needs.

"Unless we increase house building rates less than a third of 30-year-old couples will be able to afford a home of their own in 20 years time.

"Our challenge though is to make sure that the homes are built in the right places, with tough environmental standards, well-designed and attractive places to live with all the services, transport links, schools and hospitals needed to create the communities we all want to live in.

"The Government has set out clear proposals to meet this challenge and wants to see a growing consensus on supporting the aspirations of our young people.

"That means public and private sectors working and investing together to strengthen our economy, protect the environment and meet the housing needs not just of some but of all."

Copyright Press Association 2006